Watch: Good Cinema Should Inspire Society With Hope

Ahead of the July 3 release of Rao Bahadur, director Venkatesh Maha sat down with Gulte Pro’s Ram Venkat Srikar for an insightful conversation. Speaking at length about cinema, storytelling and the film, the director shared the philosophy that drives his filmmaking.

Venkatesh Maha compared a director to a music conductor who brings together the thoughts and efforts of more than 200 people into one unified vision. According to him, directing is not about controlling people but about finding the magic in every shot through discipline and patience.

Talking about Rao Bahadur, he said the film is designed to provoke thought rather than offer one fixed meaning. He believes every viewer will experience the film differently because cinema is a living medium that changes with every interpretation.

The director also explained that once a film reaches theatres, it no longer belongs to its maker. It becomes the audience’s film. He said the biggest failure for any movie is being forgotten, while a successful film continues to spark discussions long after its release.

Sharing his personal belief, Venkatesh Maha said good cinema should contribute to society by promoting empathy, hope and collective values. Even when a film deals with violence or pain, it should ultimately leave the audience with reflection rather than despair.

Describing Rao Bahadur as a deeply human story, Venkatesh Maha said the film is about people and their emotional journeys more than spectacle. He hopes the ideas in the film outlive its theatrical run because, in his view, the true success of cinema lies in the longevity of its thoughts.